West Newbury Planning Board Elects Bardeen Chair, Continues Middle Street Subdivision Hearing

WEST NEWBURY -- June 3, 2025, West Newbury Planning Board reorganizes and advances Middle Street subdivision amid stone wall debate. The board unanimously elected Ann Bardeen as chair and Rob Phillips as vice chair at its June 3 meeting, replacing outgoing Chair Ray Cook, who was praised by colleagues for his leadership over the past year. The board also voted unanimously to appoint Phillips as the Planning Board's representative to a newly formed MBTA Communities Act working group, which held its first session Thursday; Select Board member Wendy Reed reported the group had already received roughly 20 resident responses suggesting eligible sites. A public hearing on a three-lot subdivision at zero Middle Street, proposed by attorney Lisa Meade on behalf of applicant Ellen Thurlow, trustee of the Thurlow Irrevocable Trust, was continued to July 15 after extended discussion of stormwater review responsibilities under the town's new stormwater bylaw, with the board directing the applicant to submit the plan to Stormwater Administrator Paul Savigny, who may consult Meridian Engineering through the applicant's 53G escrow account. The application includes removal of 34 feet of stone wall along Middle Street, with displaced stones to fill an existing gap, and an offer to donate approximately 3.7 acres at the rear of the parcel as open space, a transfer the Select Board is expected to discuss at its June 12 meeting.